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Faith Building Block 6
Actions that Produce Results
by Pastor John Hamel
“What doth it
profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? … Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone. … But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead?” (James 2:14,17,20)
One translation of
the Bible says, “Faith without corresponding actions is dead.” Another translation of the Bible actually
says when you separate corresponding actions from your faith,
you end up with nothing more than a “corpse.”
Many people have
come to me expressing difficulty trying to believe for healing, family
help, finances, etc. They know what God’s Word says about their
need. Some are very watchful to speak faith-filled words over their
obstacles. Yet, many fail to receive what God promises in the Bible.
One reason for this
is because some people are not acting as if God’s Word is true. The
Bible reveals that faith-filled words without corresponding actions are
fruitless.
I once held
meetings for a Pastor in Nevada. One night I
taught on the subject of Divine Healing. At the end of my message, I
gave the congregation an opportunity to apply what they
had just heard.
I came to one man
in the healing line who attended this Church for years. His knees
were so stiffly locked that he could not walk normally. He had to use
his hips to assist in the lifting of his lower legs. I put my hands
on his knees and began to pray. As soon as I did this, I heard the voice of the Lord say to
me, “Tell him to do what he couldn’t do.” I told the man what the
Lord had just said to me. The entire congregation heard me. The
man immediately obeyed, where others have argued with
me.
The man attempted
to bend one locked knee and it actually gave way. He exclaimed, “I
could never do that before.” He then lifted the other leg and that
knee bent as well. The man was shocked. He walked all around
the sanctuary, knees bending slowly but surely. The next night he
returned asking if he could give a testimony. I allowed him to do so.
He explained, in
essence, “Most of you know me. You’ve watched me walk for years with
knees that would barely bend. Last night when Pastor John told me the
Lord said, ‘Tell him to do what he couldn’t do.’ I knew I had my
answer. As I obeyed, my knees began to unlock. Some of you were
here and saw it. All day today I kept doing what I haven’t been able
to do for years – bend my knees as I walked. It just kept getting
better and better all day and painless, too.”
He then walked back
and forth across the front of the platform, lifting his knees high.
Those who had known him for years began to cheer and give Glory to God.
This man put
corresponding actions to his faith and years of suffering ended within a
24-hour period. Anyone can do this. Anyone can trust God’s Word over their circumstances
and over the voice of human reasoning. Anyone can stop looking to
others for help and start speaking and acting on God’s Word on their own.
Somebody said, “Not
me. I could never do that.” To which I say, “You’re
right. If that’s what you say and that’s what you believe, then you
could never do that.”
When ministering in
this area I often ask people, “Do you know what the difference is between
someone who says ‘I can’t’ and someone who says ‘I can’?” Then I
answer the question, “There is no difference. They’re both right!”
Ask the Holy Spirit
to show you how you can act out your faith
as the man in Nevada did. Then do
whatever He shows you. Don’t tell Him you can’t do what He shows
you. Say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13)
Then start acting
like you believe something good is about to happen to you and it
will! This is the sixth Faith Building Block that must be laid in
order to have strong faith that produces results.
Make this Faith
confession daily. “I am a brand New Creation in Christ. I am the
righteousness of God. I am seated in a place of authority with
Christ. I have the right to use Jesus’ Name. My words have power over my life. I act
out my faith and as I do, the supernatural occurs. In Jesus’ Name.”
Your faith level is now higher, much higher, than it was when
you first began this short Faith Building Block series.
Keep making the
above confession.
Keep reading about
what God promises to do for you in His Word. This Faith Building Bible Study
Centre has been designed to help you to do exactly that.
Walk in love and ask God to help you to forgive all who have
wronged you. You’ll find yourself walking in the miraculous in ways
you had never imagined, hoped or dreamed. God made you – yes, YOU, to
walk by faith.
God doesn’t make mistakes. (Ephesians 2:10)
Be Blessed … John
and Barbara Hamel
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